France issues decree relating to the identification of hazardous substances in products that generate waste

This decree provides for informing consumers about the presence of “extremely worrying” chemicals in products sold in France

This decree identifies through its article 1 the dangerous substances within the meaning of article L. 541-9-1 of the environment code, the presence of which in waste-generating products must be the subject of information to the consumer. It intervenes within the framework of Regulation (EC) n ° 1907/2006 which provides in its article 33 that any consumer can ask an article supplier to inform him of the presence of substances of very high concern, with a concentration greater than 0,1% w/w. The list of substances of very high concern changes every six months; as of July 8, 2021, it listed 219 substances.

These 219 substances are considered to be a priority at European level for substitution both in terms of their use and their incorporation into articles. Regulation (EU) No 1272/2008 has obligations relating to the classification, labeling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures, labeling being the main vehicle for providing information to consumers.